This recently completed family home on a suburban estate stands on an estimated 2 000 square metres of what was well-treed vacant land; the built structure now accounts for some 1 400 square metres. Johannesburg-based interior designer Romi Kaplan says that the brief from her client was ‘something quite different’ and that it immediately captured her interest.

Dining room and kitchen form one very generous space. Metallic accents predominate in the chair frames and table base that are in sync with the overhead light fittings.

She outlines her rationale on the project: ‘This contemporary home is a piece of art in itself, every area within is a feature. The entrance is impressive as a double volume space where a section of the ceiling is clad in copper; this application extends to the curved staircase and its warm metallic glow can also be viewed from outside on the driveway. Additional focus and drama were introduced here with a six-metre steel sculpture (see previous pages).’

The use of metals for decorative effect is a 2017 global trend and this designer has included other copper accents in the spacious sitting room. Here, an overall white palette predominates and is effectively contrasted by chocolate brown herringbone parquet floors and vibrant artworks.

Copper is seen again in the adjacent dining room where a 4,5 metre table is flanked by 14 chairs and two double seat benches, one at each end. Says Romi Kaplan: ‘I felt that these metallic finishes complemented the Moroccan-influenced chandeliers. The dining room and kitchen area are open plan, which works well for my client who is an accomplished cook and likes to entertain.’ Again, this is a current residential trend that facilitates the interaction of family and guests with the cooking / dining experience.

The black bath tub is adjacent to a clear glass window, which is bordered by trees. The indigenous grounds form a major part of the atmosphere of this home in effecting the feel of being deep in a forest.

The basement consists of a sitting room, cinema room and poker room and as one descends to this lower floor there is an impressive piece of art that has been chiselled out of the wall. The generous sitting area is finished in greys and reds and Chinese pieces were introduced in this space as objets d’art. Adjacent is the cinema room, which features an introduction of greens and yellows. Here, instead of using conventional cinema chairs, the designer specified a long sofa and chaise longue. The study on the upper floor is clad with a bronze textured wallpaper, which is layered with art; on one window chains are hung as the window treatment, other windows have leather curtains.

The study evokes the ambiance of a gentlemen’s club.

Leather and animal skins are used effectively together with eclectic artworks.

For the full article see Habitat #260 July / August 2017 | Subscribe now